Toy glider



Nov. 12, 1940. V 2 N. E. WALKER 2,221,012

TOY GLIDER Filed Oct. 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet I INVENTOR mvulesz.WaJlrer TOPNZY Nov, 12, I940. N. EQWALKEh 2,221,012

TOY GLIDER Filed 061;. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

9 Hu l,

TORN Y Patented Nov. 12,1940

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'ror cunna Nevilles E. Walker, rel-flue, oApplication 13, 19:9, Serial No. 292,305

' 2o (on. 46-80) It will be apparent that the aforesaid unfolding Myinvention relates to toys, and it relates more particularly to toygliders of the type adapted to soar automatically after being throwninto the air as darts. To function as a dart, an object 5 must bestreamlined, that is, it must present a contour having little resistanceto its passage through air. It should be an elongated body having noprotuberances. 0n the other hand, to soar successfully a glider musthave as large a wing area as possible in proportion to its weight. Aglider will not serve as a dart, and a dart will not soar, but if anobject in the form of a dart can be thrown high into the air and theremade to change its form into that of a glider, it will provide amusementby soaring for a surprisingly long time.

The principles to be observed in building a glider that will soarautomatically are well known, and my present invention is not concernedtherewith. An object of my invention, however, is to provide a gliderconstructed in accordance with said principles whose wings may be foldedback during its upward flight as a dart, said wings automaticallyassuming their open positions when the speed of the glider with respectto the air decreases below a predetermined value. The manner in whichsaid wings open is of paramount importance.

I have found that, to function as a dart, the wings of a glider shouldbe folded back so that they lie in a vertical plane, alongside the body.

But to function as a glider, said wings must swing outward substantiallyperpendicular to said body, and they must also rotate intoa horizontalplane. Thus, two axes of rotation must be provided for each of saidwings, one vertical axis at the end of the wing, and a horizontal axisperpendicular to the body. For reasons hereinafter discussed, I preferthat said wings shall complete their rotationabout their vertical axesbefore beginning to rotate about their horizontal axes. To this end, Iprovide a member under tension, such as a rubber band, adapted to causesaid wings to unfold and I provide a stop to prevent rotation of saidwings about the aforesaid horizontal axis while they are unfolding.However, at the end of said unfolding operation, due to the arrangementof said axes and said rubber band, said rubber band tends to rotate thewings in the opposite direction, away from said stop, and the wings thusrotate through ,,'substantia1ly into their horizontal position. Thus, inunfolding, the wings remain in a vertical ,plane, while swingingoutwardly from the body.

Then theyrotate into the horizontal plane, assuming the ordinaryposition of airplane wings.

of said wings while in a'vertical plane will tend to check the forwardmovement of the glider. This is a desirable result for reasons involvingaeronautical principles not herein important. Sumce it to say that saidchecking of the forward movement of a glider at the time it changes froma dart to'a glider causes it to begin to soar more quickly and with morecertainty. It will be understood that said checking of the forwardmovement of the glider does not occur until said forward movement hasalmost ceased of its own accord.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a glider whose wingsare adapted to open from their folded position when its velocity throughthe air decreases below a predetermined value low enough that saidglider will have reached nearly its maximum height asa dart.

A further object of my invention is to provide a glider whose wingsremain in a vertical plane while opening to check its forward motion,thereafter rotating into a horizontal plane.

A further object of my invention is to provide a single tension memberadapted to, first, open the wings of a glider away from the rear portionof the body thereof to a position slightly forward of perpendicular tosaid body, then, rotatesaid wings into substantially horizontal planesforming a predetermined dihedral angle with each other.

A further object of my invention is to provide a glider having asubstantial wing area, and that is light in weight. I prefer to makesaid glider of balsa wood, and I further reduce its weight by avoidingthe use of unnecessary parts in its construction, making one part servetwo purposes in some cases.

A further object of my invention is to provide a dart type glider thatmay be built cheaply. I

achieve said object, in one respect, by constructing said glider ofparts which may be quickly and easily assembled.

A further object of my invention is to provide a glider that althoughlight in weight, is sufficiently strong so that it may be gripped in thehand to apply tension to a resilient member which, when released, willpropel said glider high into the air.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toy glider embodying my invention,said glider being shown folded in position to be released to bepropelled by a rubber band;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of said glider in a partially unfoldedcondition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of said glider in its gliding position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of said glider with its wings intheir folded position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but with said wings shown rotatedforward about their vertical axes;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but with said wings shown rotatedabout their horizontal axis;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan view of said glider with its wings intheir folded position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but with said wings shown rotatedforward about their vertical axes, said wings being shown in anintermediate position by dot-and-dash lines; i

Fig. 9 is a foreshortened sectional view taken on the line 9--9 in Fig.4;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of means for fastening a rubber bandto the wings of said glider;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of said glider, some of" the.parts thereof being shown separated to illustrate the mode of theirassembly;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the hinge member atthe end of one of the wings of said glider, showing the manner ofsecuring the same to said wing, together with a pintle therefor, andshowing the way the said pintle is held in place;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how a formed pivotmember may be assembled in journal hearings in the body of said glider;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 6 of a modifica tion of my inventionshowing a movable wedge for adjusting the angle of incidence of thewings when the latter are unfolded;

Fig. 15 is a plan detail view of said wedge; and

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the wedge shown in Fig. 15. I

A toy glider embodying my invention comprises a body I having a notch 2near its forward end and a horizontal slot 3 and a vertical slot 4 forholding tail members 5 and 6, respectively, at the rear end of saidbody. I prefer to make said body and said tail members of balsa wood,and to hold said parts together by frictional engagement of said tailmembers in said slots.

Somewhat forward of the middle of said body, a pivot member I isjournaled in split bearing 8-, preferably made of hard wood or metal. Iprefer to form eyes 9 in said pivot member for engaging hinge membersl0, pintle ll being adapted to pass through said eyes when the latterhave been inserted in notches l2 in said hinge members. I have found itpeculiarly advantageous to provide a split bearing for said pivot membersomewhat larger in diameter than the eyes therein. The hole l3 for saidbearing will then be of suilicient diameter to permit one of said eyesto pass therethrough. Said bearing may be assembled on said pivot, andboth may then be inserted in said hole [3 in body I, said bearing beingglued in said hole, if desired. This constitutes a simple and cheapmethod and means for mounting said pivot member, a matter ofconsiderable importance in toys which must be sold at a low price. I

Hinge members III are U-shaped, adapted to clasp wing members 14 and tohold the same securely, preferably with the aid of glue 23. I have foundthat holes l5 perforating said hinge members greatly increase thestrength of the glued joint with said wings, and this is a matter ofconsiderable importance inasmuch as a force of as much as twenty-fivepounds may be exerted on said wings in launching the glider by themethod which I prefer, and which is hereinafter described.

Having described means whereby the wings of a toy glider may be mountedto rotate about both a vertical and a horizontal axis, I will nowdescribe the means which I prefer to motivate said rotation. I wish saidwings to remain folded backward as they are shown in Fig. 1, throughoutthe upward flight of the glider. The natural tendency of said wings isto remain in this position during saidflight due to the pressure of theair on their outer surfaces, a partial vacuum being formed between saidwings by their motion through the air. As said motion diminishes, theaforesaid force tending to hold said wings folded also diminishes, andwhen it diminishes below a certain predetermined value, I desire to havesaid wings unfold. In other words, when said glider has traveled upwardas a dart substantially as far as it will go, I desire it to change intoa glider. This will be accomplished if the aforesaid motivating meansfor rotating said wings is adapted to exert a small force tending tounfold said wings during its upward flight, said small force beingsuflicient to move said wings when their speed through the airdiminishes below said predetermined value. Thereafter, said motivatingmeans should have other operating characteris-' tics hereinafterdiscussed.

Tube l6, which I prefer to make of thin brass or wood, may be pressfitted in body i somewhat above and slightly forward of pivot member I.Said tube should be of suflicient length so that it projects outwardfrom said body a substantial distance on each side. A rubber band I! maybe inserted in said tube, and each end of said rubber band, for example,may be fastened to one of said wings by passing the looped end ofsaidband through an eyelet l8 and looping the same over clip l9 stakedin said wing, as is shown clearly in Fig. 10. Any other method offastening may be used as by securing a hook or other device to the wingas may suggest itself to a mechanic skilled in the art. Said rubber bandshould be of suitable length to be under a substantial tension when saidends are so fastened.

As may be seen with reference to Fig. 1, due to the length of tube l6said rubber band provides a torque tending to rotate said wings aboutpintle member II, that is, about the axes aa in Fig.2. After thevelocity of the glider diminishes to the point where said torque becomeseffective to produce rotation of said wings about axes aa, it will beapparent that the lever arm on which said rubber band exerts force toproduce said torque will have increased by virtue of said wings havingunfolded slightly, In other words, the aforesaid torque will increase,as the wings begin to unfold, due to the increased lever arm, and thisassures rapid opening of the wings with only a moderate starting torquewhich allows the glider to nearly stop before the wings start to open.It will be seen that this rapid opening of said wings, from the positionshown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2, will result in a suddenchecking of the motion of the glider at the end of its upward flight,and this checking results in a prompt change from dart to glider action.

As viewed in Fig. 4, the tension in said rubber band will produce aclockwise torque about the axis of pivot I, holding hinge member I0against tube l6 which acts as a stop to prevent-rotation of wing I4about its horizontal axis. The wing is thus' held clear or the tailstructure .5 that it is free to unfold. However, as said wing rotatesabout its vertical axis, unfolding to the position shown in Fig. 5, thelever arm of said rubber band moves to the opposite side of said axis ofpivot 'l and said rubber band produces a counterclockwise torque thatrotates said wing about axis 11-!) away from tube ll into the horizontalpothis being also the 8liderator (not shown) while being stretched byhand 2i shown in Fig. 1. The body of said glider should be pointedupward almost vertically as said rubber band is stretched and-thenreleased by hand 2|. Said glider will then travel upward as a dart untilits velocity diminishes to a predetermined value that will permit rubberband H to rotate wings I about their vertical axes until stopped by tubell, thus checking said upward movement. As said wings complete theirrotation about their vertical axes, they rotate about their horizontalaxis into the horizontal plane, which is their gliding position. I havefound that said glider will begin to function as a glider more promptlyand with more certainty if its velocity is thus checked by causing saidwings to rotate first about their vertical axes, and then about theirhorizontal axis.

Pintle ll may be made U-shaped, each leg serving as a pintle for onewing. The loop end of said pintle may then be bent substantially atright angles to form a saddle member 22 adapted to straddle body I whensaid wings rotate about their horizontal axis and thus to serve as astop for said rotation. Thus, the length of said sadspect to its base26. Tabs 21 may be formed along said base, and barbs 28 may be formedthereon. Said wedge should preferably be made of relatively thin metalso that said tabs may readily be bent inward to cause said barbs toengage the body, or outward to disengage the same. Thus, the wedge maybe moved along body I by disengaging it, and then bending tabs 21 inwardto re-engage it.

The purpose of the aforesaid movable wedge is to enable the user toproperly adjust thewings to cause the glider to glide for the maximumtime possible. Toy gliders must be manufactured cheaply, andconsiderable tolerance in size and weight of the various parts isdesirable. In this respect, the problem is like that'encountered in"manufacturing toy airplanes. In the latter, however,'it is possible tocompensate for variations in size and weight by moving the wingsbackward or forward on the body, said wings ordinarily being held inslots in said body. The plane may thus be nicely balanced. But in aglider whose wings are pivotally niounted it is not feasible to move thewings longitudinally of the body. I, therefore, provide means forvarying the angle of incidence of said wings thereby to achieve issimilar result. I find that this adliittable feature is useful,furthermore, to compensate'for warping of the wings, or other parts,after the glider is in use, as well as to compensate for variations inmanufacture.

I claim:

1. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said; body, said body being flat andsaid wings being. wilted to be folded flatwise against the flat sidesjofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positioned andarranged to tend tapull wing elements to a position away from the sidesof said body and generally normal thereto, and an elongated tubularmember extending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough.

2. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprisingvertical and horizontal members, a pair of wingelements pivotally secured to said body, said body being flat and saidwings beingadapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sides of thevertical tail structure member and above the horizontal member thereof,means joiningsaid wing elements adjacent but spaced from their pivotalconnections, respectively, with the body and positioned and arranged totend to pull said wing elements to a position away from the sides ofsaid body and generally normal thereto, and an elongated tubular memberextending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough, the ends of said tubular member extending laterally fromsaid body to points further from said body than do the wing hingepintles.

3. A retractable'wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprlsing vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said body being flat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sides ofthe vertical tall structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and. positioned andarranged to tend to pull said wing elements to a position away from thesides of said body and generally normal thereto, and an elongatedtubular member extending laterally through said body, said meansextending therethrough, said tubular member beingallgned with andabutting against the hinged ends of said wing elements when the latterare folded flatwise against said body.

4. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotallysecured to said body, said body beingflat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sidesofthe vertical tail structure member .and above the horizontal memberthereof, means Joining said wing .elements adjacent but spaced fromtheir pivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positionedand arranged totend to pull said wing elements to a position away fromthe sides of said body and generally normal thereto, a formed pivotmember secured to said wing elements, and a journal bearing extendingtransversely of said body, said pivot member being journaled therein.

51A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said body being fiat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the fiat sides ofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positioned andarranged to tend to pull said wing elements to a position away from thesides of said body and generally normal thereto, an elongated tubularmember extending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough, a formed pivot member secured to said wing elements, and ajournaled bearing extending transversely of said body, said pivot memberbeing journaled therein, said journal bearing being arranged rearwardlyof said tubular member, whereby when said wing elements are pulled froma position flatwise against said body to a position approximately normalthereto by said pulling means,said wings will tend to be rotated by saidlatter means about an axis extending through said pivot member.

6. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said bodybeing fiat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the fiat sidesofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positioned andarranged to tend to pull said wng elements to a position away from thesides of said body and generally normal thereto, an elongated tubularmember extending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough, a formed pivot member secured to said wing elements, and ajournal bearing extending transversely of said body, said pivot memberbeing journaled therein, said journal bearing being arranged below saidtubular member, whereby when said wing elements are pulled from aposition flatwise against said body to a position approximately normalthereto by said pulling means, said wings will tend to be rotated bysaid latter means about an axis extending through said pivot member.

7. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said body being flat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sides ofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said a wing elements adjacent but spaced fromtheir pivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positionedand arranged to tend to pull said wing elements to a position away fromthe sides of said body and generally normal thereto, an elongatedtubular member extending laterally through said body, said meansextending therethrough, a formed pivot member secured to said wingelements, and a journal bearing extending transversely of said body,said pivot member being journaled therein, said journal bearing beingarranged rearwardly of and below said tubular member, whereby when saidwing elements are pulled from a position flatwise against said body to aposition approximately normal thereto by said latter means about an axisextending through said pivot member.

8. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said body being flat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sides ofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positioned andarranged to tend to pull said wing elements to a position away from thesides of said body and generally normal thereto, an elongated tubularmember extending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough, and detachable securing means for said pulling means, saidtubular member being arranged rearwardly thereof when said wing elementsare extended in gliding position.

9. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said body being fiat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sides ofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positioned andarranged to tend to pull said wing elements to a position away from thesides of said body and generally normal thereto, an elongated tubularmember extending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough, and detachable securing means adjacent the leading edge ofsaid wing elements for said pulling means, said tubular member beingarranged rearwardly thereof when said wing elements are extended ingliding position.

10. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure com prising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said body being flat andsaid wings being adapted to be folded flatwise against the flat sides ofthe vertical tail structure member and above the horizontal memberthereof, means joining said wing elements adjacent but spaced from theirpivotal connections, respectively, with the body and positioned andarranged to tend to pull said wing elements to a position away from thesides of said body and generally normal thereto, an elongated tubularmember extending laterally through said body, said means extendingtherethrough, the ends of said tubular member extending laterally fromsaid body to points further from said body than do the wing hingepintles, said tubular member being alined with and abutting against thehinged ends of said wing elements when the latter are folded flatwiseagainst said body, a formed pivot member secured to said wing elements,a journal bearing extending transversely of said body, said pivot memberbeing journaled therein, said journal bearing being arranged rearwardlyof and below said tubular member, whereby when said wing elements arepulled from a position flatwise against said body to a positionapproximately normal thereto by said pulling means, said wings will tendto be rotated by said latter means about an axis extending through saidpivot member; and detachable securing means adjacent the leading edge ofsaid wing elements for said pulling means, said tubular member beingarranged rearwardly thereof when said wing elements are extended ingliding position.

11. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securing an element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about the innerend of each of said wing elements, said hinge member being recessed toreceive a pintle member, a pintle member, and a formed pivot memberjournaled in said body and having eyes extending into the notches in thewing hinges and alined with'the pintle recesses, respectively.

12. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securing an element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about the innerend of each of said wing elements, said hinge member being recessed toreceive a pintle member, a pintle member, and a formed pivot memberjoumaled in said body and having eyes extending into the notches in thewing hinges and aimed with the pintle recesses, respectively, the endsof said pivot member'overlying and abutting with the hinge members,respectively, when the wings are extended in gliding position. i

13. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securing an element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about the innerend of each of said wing elements, said hinge member being recessed toreceive a pintle member, a pintle member, a formed pivot memberjournaled in said body and having eyes extending into the notches in thewing hinges and alined with the pintle recesses, respectively andconstrictions in said hinge recesses adapted frlctionally to engage andhold the pintle member when the latter is inserted in said recess.

14. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securing an element to theforward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about the innerend or eachof said wing elements, said hinge member being recessed toreceive a pintle member, and a pintle member, said pintle member beingpro-,

vided with a laterally ofl-set saddle member arranged centrally thereofto overlie and engage the body when the wings are arranged in glidingposition.

15. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured tosaid body. means fordetachably securing an element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about the innerend of each of said wing elements, said hinge member being recessed toreceive a pintle member, and a pintle member, said hinge member beingsecured to said end of said wing by glue.

16. A retractable wing toy glider comprising anelongatedbodyandapairofwingelementspivotally secured to said body, meansfor detachably securing an element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a perforated U-shaped hinge member secured aboutthe inner end of each of said wing elements, said hinge member beingrecessed to receive a pintle member. and a pintle member, said hingemember being secured to said end of said wing by glue in saidperforations.

17. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an (I elongated body anda-pair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securing an element to the forward end of said g body forlaunching said'glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about the innerend ofeach of said wing elements, said hingemember being recessed toreceive a pintle member, and a U-shaped pintle member.

18. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securingan element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a U-shaped hinge member secured about theinnerend of each of said wing elements, said hinge member being recessedto receive a pintle member, a pintle member, and a formed pivot memberjournaled intermediate the ends thereof in saidbody and having eyesextending into the notches in the wing hinges and alined with the pintlerecesses, respectively.

l9. A retractable wing toy glider comprising an elongated body and apair of wing elements pivotally secured to said body, means fordetachably securing an element to the forward end of said body forlaunching said glider, a perforated U-shaped hinge member securedaboutthe inner end of each of said wing elements, said hinge member beingrecessed to receive a pintle member, a U-shaped pintle member, a formedpivot member journaled intermediate the ends thereof in said body andhaving eyes extending into the notches in the wing hinges and to saidend of said wing by glue in said perforations.

20. A retractable wihg toy glider comprising an elongated body having atail structure comprising vertical and horizontal members, a pair ofwing elements pivotally secured to said body, said wings in one positionbeing adapted to be folded flatwise against the sides of said body,means Joining said wing elements tending to hold the latter away fromsaid body and generally normal thereto, a saddle member Joining saidwing elements, arranged intermediate the latter and adapted to overlieand engage the bpdy whenthewingsarearrangednormaltosaidbody, and meanscarried by said body adapted to engage said saddle member and toadiust'the position of said wings when the latter are arranged generallynormal to said body.

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